Brandon Montour: Leave After Brother’s Death & Return

Ask most hockey fans to name the toughest moments in an athlete’s career, and they’ll point to injuries or slumps. But for Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour, the hardest test came far from the rink. In October 2025, Montour stepped away from the team after his older brother Cameron Noble-Montour died following a battle with ALS at age 34. This article traces what happened, why he left, how the Kraken supported him, and what his return means for the season ahead.

Age: 31 (born April 11, 1994) ·
Team: Seattle Kraken ·
Position: Defenseman ·
Annual Salary (2025-26): $7.14 million ·
Contract Length: 7 years (signed 2024) ·
Birthplace: Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada

Here are key facts about Brandon Montour.

What happened to Brandon Montour’s brother?

Tragic death of Cameron Noble-Montour at age 34

• Brandon Montour’s older brother, Cameron Noble-Montour, died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the week before October 25, 2025, according to an official statement from the Seattle Kraken via NHL.com official statement.
• Cameron was 34 years old at the time of his death (NHL.com official statement).
• He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a stepdaughter (NHL.com official statement).

Cause of death: ALS

• ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. The Kraken’s official announcement confirmed that Cameron Noble-Montour’s death followed a battle with ALS.
• Brandon Montour has not publicly disclosed additional details about his brother’s illness timeline or the exact date of death — the family has requested privacy in their grief (FOX 13 Seattle news report).

Cameron Noble-Montour’s own hockey career

• Cameron Noble-Montour was also a hockey player, having played in the Ontario Junior Hockey League and later in professional minor leagues, though his career never reached the NHL level. His passion for the sport was well known within the Montour family and the Six Nations community (FOX 13 Seattle news report).

The implication for Montour is that every shift now carries personal weight, but also a renewed sense of purpose.

Why did Brandon Montour take a leave of absence?

Timeline of leave and return

• The Seattle Kraken announced Montour’s temporary leave on October 18, 2025, citing a family matter (NHL.com official statement).
• He was a late scratch before that night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs (Bleacher Report article).
• Montour missed four games while away from the team (NHL.com official statement).
• He returned to the lineup on October 25, 2025, for a game against the NHL.com official statement-reported opponent.

Kraken’s support and statement

• The Kraken organization publicly supported Montour’s decision, releasing a statement that the team was “fully behind Brandon” and would “respect his privacy” (Seattle Kraken / NHL.com article).
• Kraken head coach Lane Lambert told reporters that Montour’s return was important “not only as a player, but certainly as a leader” (Bleacher Report article).

Impact on team and roster

• Montour had recorded four assists in his first four games of the 2025–26 season before leaving (Bleacher Report article).
• During his absence, the Kraken used a rotation of defensemen to fill his spot on the top pairing. The team went 2–2–0 in the four games without him.

The pattern: Montour’s leave was short but deeply felt. The team’s record held steady, but his presence in the locker room and on the ice is irreplaceable—particularly for a franchise still building its identity in its fourth NHL season.

Who is Brandon Montour married to?

Ryian Montour: wife and family

• Brandon Montour is married to Ryian Montour. The couple has been together for several years and maintains a relatively private personal life, though Ryian occasionally shares family updates on social media.
• 2024 was a landmark year for the family: Ryian gave birth to their first child (Seattle Kraken / NHL.com article). The couple has not publicly disclosed the child’s name or gender.

Family life and community involvement

• The Montours have been active in charitable events in both Florida (where Brandon played for the Panthers) and Seattle. Ryian has participated in team family initiatives, including the Kraken’s community outreach programs.
• Brandon has said that becoming a father changed his perspective on life and hockey. “You realize what’s really important,” he told reporters (Seattle Kraken / NHL.com article).

What this means for Montour is that his personal identity now blends father, husband, and brother into a single, resilient figure.

How much does Brandon Montour make a year?

Current contract with Seattle Kraken

• On July 1, 2024, Montour signed a seven-year, $50 million contract with the Seattle Kraken as a free agent (NHL.com official statement).
• The deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $7.14 million and runs through the 2030–31 season.

Salary cap hit and annual breakdown

• Montour’s cap hit is $7.14 million per season, making him the third-highest-paid player on the Kraken roster behind only Vince Dunn and Jordan Eberle.
• His actual salary varies slightly by year due to signing bonuses, but the cap hit remains flat for the life of the contract (CapFriendly contract details).

Career earnings overview

• Before the Kraken deal, Montour earned approximately $21 million over his first eight NHL seasons with Anaheim, Florida, and an initial buyout from Florida (Hockey-Reference career stats).
• His career earnings, including the new contract, are projected to exceed $70 million by the end of the deal.

The implication: Montour’s contract reflects his value as a top-four, right-shot defenseman who plays power-play minutes and logs heavy ice time. The Kraken bet that his offensive production—he had 73 points in 2022-23 for Florida—would translate to their system.

What ethnicity is Brandon Montour?

Haudenosaunee heritage

• Montour is Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve in Ontario, Canada. He is one of the most prominent Indigenous players in the NHL today (Wikipedia biography).
• He grew up in Ohsweken, Ontario, on the Six Nations reserve, and has spoken about the importance of his heritage throughout his career.

Indigenous representation in NHL

• Montour joins a small group of Indigenous NHL players, including Carey Price (Ulkatcho First Nation), Jordin Tootoo (Rankin Inlet), and Ethan Bear (Ochapowace Nation).
• The NHL’s Indigenous representation remains below 1% of players, making Montour’s visibility particularly meaningful for young fans from First Nations communities.

Community and cultural ties

• Montour has participated in Indigenous community events, including youth hockey camps and cultural celebrations. He has worn special warm-up jerseys honoring Indigenous heritage during the NHL’s “Every Child Matters” initiatives.
• His brother Cameron was also deeply connected to their Haudenosaunee roots and the Six Nations community.

The pattern: Montour’s Indigenous identity isn’t a secondary footnote—it’s a core part of his story. For a league still working to increase diversity, his success (73-point season, $50 million contract, leadership role) provides a powerful counter-narrative to stereotypes about who can excel in hockey.

Timeline: Brandon Montour’s career and personal milestones

The following timeline traces Montour’s path from draft to his brother’s passing.

These milestones underscore how professional success and personal tragedy can coexist within a single season.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Brandon Montour’s brother Cameron Noble-Montour died from ALS at age 34 (NHL.com official statement)
• Montour took a temporary leave of absence from the Seattle Kraken on October 18, 2025 (NHL.com official statement)
• He missed four games and returned on October 25, 2025 (NHL.com official statement)
• He is married to Ryian Montour and they had a child in 2024 (Seattle Kraken / NHL.com article)
• His contract is 7 years, $50 million with $7.14 million AAV (CapFriendly contract details)
• He is Haudenosaunee from Six Nations of the Grand River (Wikipedia)
• He had four assists in his first four games of the 2025–26 season (Bleacher Report article)

What’s unclear

• Exact date of Cameron Noble-Montour’s death (not publicly specified beyond “the Monday before his return”)
• Specific details about Montour’s full emotional recovery timeline
• Whether Montour will participate in any ALS awareness campaigns going forward
• Specific memorial plans for Cameron (family has requested privacy)
• How long Montour will continue to wear a tribute decal
• When Montour will speak publicly about his grief in a formal setting

These uncertainties highlight the family’s desire for privacy and the ongoing nature of healing.

In their own words: Key quotes

“I needed time. I still need time.”

— Brandon Montour, on returning to the Seattle Kraken after his brother’s death (Seattle Kraken / NHL.com article)

“It was a rough week.”

— Brandon Montour (FOX 13 Seattle news report)

“I’m very proud. I’m very happy to be his brother.”

— Brandon Montour, on his brother Cameron (FOX 13 Seattle news report)

“It was important to have him back, not only as a player, but certainly as a leader.”

— Kraken head coach Lane Lambert, on Montour’s return (Bleacher Report article)

The common thread across all quotes: Montour didn’t hide his grief. He named it, owned it, and returned on his own terms. That transparency has resonated with teammates and fans alike, reinforcing a culture where vulnerability isn’t weakness.

Summary: What this means for Montour and the Kraken

Montour’s 2025–26 season is now defined by two opposing forces: profound personal loss and professional opportunity. He returned from leave with a clear mission—to honor his brother’s memory by playing the game they both loved. On the ice, the Kraken need his offensive production from the blue line and his veteran presence on a young roster. Off the ice, Montour’s story has become a rallying point for the franchise and its fans. For the Seattle Kraken, the decision to support Montour unconditionally wasn’t just a human one—it was the only move that preserved the trust and leadership that make a team more than a roster.

After a week away, Brandon Montours return to the Kraken was a moment of relief for the Seattle Kraken.

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